CN107995385B

CN107995385B - Information processing apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN107995385B
Application number: CN201711399546.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 水野贵史
Original assignee: Canon Inc
Current assignee: Canon Inc
Priority date: 2013-10-02
Filing date: 2014-08-01
Publication date: 2021-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2034-08-01
Also published as: CN104517047A; US11146542B2; US10616202B2; US20180212944A1; US20200220856A1; US9935929B2; CN104517047B; JP2015072564A; JP6261265B2; US20150095982A1; CN107995385A

Abstract

The invention provides an information processing apparatus, a control method thereof and a storage medium. Before one of a first user and a second user has been authenticated, the information processing apparatus acquires first setting information corresponding to the first user and first setting information corresponding to the second user from a first storage unit, and stores the first setting information corresponding to the first user and the first setting information corresponding to the second user in a second storage unit. Next, after one of the first user and the second user has been authenticated, the information processing apparatus acquires the first setting information corresponding to the authenticated user from the second storage unit, and also acquires the second setting information corresponding to the authenticated user from the first storage unit.

Description

Information processing apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium

The present application is a divisional application of an invention patent application having an application date of 2014, 8/1, an application number of 201410377356.7, and an invention name of "information processing apparatus and information processing method".

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus configured to operate according to setting information and an information processing method for acquiring setting information set for the information processing apparatus from a storage device.

Background

Only authenticated users can use the information processing apparatus with the authentication mechanism built therein. Further, there is an information processing apparatus that: it predicts a time range (time frame) in which each user is likely to log in, and moves user information such as ID, password, sex, age, place of birth, and the like from the work memory to the cache memory when the current time reaches the time range (japanese patent laid-open No. 2009-93512).

In the method of predicting a time range in which a user may log in and moving user information of the user to a high-speed memory, the time range needs to be predicted and an additional system for predicting the time range is required.

Of course, since the time horizon may be mispredicted, when user A attempts to log in, there may be a case where user B's user information has already been moved to the high speed memory, but user A's user information has not yet been moved to the high speed memory.

In japanese patent laid-open No. 2009-93512, all user information of a user who does not know whether to log in is moved to a high-speed memory. If it is predicted that there may be a plurality of users who will log in at the same time range, all user information corresponding to the plurality of users needs to be moved to the high-speed memory, and the capacity of the high-speed memory may be insufficient.

Disclosure of Invention

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus configured to operate according to setting information. The information processing apparatus includes: the device comprises a first storage unit, a second storage unit, a verification unit and a storage control unit. The first storage unit is configured to store first setting information and second setting information corresponding to a first user, and first setting information and second setting information corresponding to a second user. The second storage unit is different from the first storage unit. The authentication unit is configured to authenticate one of the first user and the second user. The storage control unit is configured to: acquiring the first setting information corresponding to the first user and the first setting information corresponding to the second user from the first storage unit and storing the first setting information corresponding to the first user and the first setting information corresponding to the second user in the second storage unit before one of the first user and the second user is authenticated by the authentication unit; acquiring the first setting information corresponding to the authenticated user from the second storage unit after one of the first user and the second user is authenticated by the authentication unit; and after one of the first user and the second user is authenticated by the authentication unit, acquire the second setting information corresponding to the authenticated user from the first storage unit.

Further, an information processing method according to the present invention is an information processing method of acquiring first setting information and second setting information set for an information processing apparatus from a first storage device that stores the first setting information and the second setting information. The information processing method comprises the following steps: authenticating one of the first user and the second user; acquiring first setting information corresponding to the first user and first setting information corresponding to the second user from the first storage device before one of the first user and the second user is authenticated, the first setting information acquired in the acquisition of the first setting information of the first user and the second user being stored in a second storage device before one of the first user and the second user is authenticated, the second storage device being different from the first storage device; acquiring the first setting information corresponding to the authenticated user from the second storage device after one of the first user and the second user is authenticated; and acquiring the second setting information corresponding to the authenticated user from the first storage device after one of the first user and the second user is authenticated.

Further, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to the present invention is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program. The program is configured to acquire first setting information and second setting information set for an information processing apparatus from a first storage device that stores the first setting information and the second setting information. The program causes a computer to execute the steps of: authenticating one of the first user and the second user; acquiring first setting information corresponding to the first user and first setting information corresponding to the second user from the first storage device before one of the first user and the second user is authenticated, the first setting information acquired in the acquisition of the first setting information of the first user and the second user being stored in a second storage device before one of the first user and the second user is authenticated, the second storage device being different from the first storage device; acquiring the first setting information corresponding to the authenticated user from the second storage device after one of the first user and the second user is authenticated; and acquiring the second setting information corresponding to the authenticated user from the first storage device after one of the first user and the second user is authenticated.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing types of setting values stored in the HDD.

Fig. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of setting values necessary for login.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of setting values required after login.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a setting screen for setting values necessary for registration.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a startup process performed in the information processing apparatus.

Fig. 7A to 7C are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed after login.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a login process performed in the information processing apparatus.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart of acquisition processing performed in the information processing apparatus.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a list of setting values necessary for login.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart of a setting process performed in the information processing apparatus.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing priority information stored in the HDD.

Fig. 13A and 13B are flowcharts showing a login process performed in the information processing apparatus.

Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a message.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of priority information and restriction information.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing a login process performed in the information processing apparatus.

Fig. 17 is a block diagram showing the roles assumed by the CPU in the first to third embodiments.

Detailed Description

First embodiment

Embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus. In the present embodiment, a description is given of a multifunction device as an example of an information processing apparatus. Fig. 1 is an exemplary diagram for describing the present embodiment, and other configuration requirements may be included in the information processing apparatus.

The information processing apparatus includes a controller unit 100, an operation unit 106, a scanner 108, and a printer 109. Further, the controller unit 100 includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)101, a Random Access Memory (RAM)102, a Read Only Memory (ROM)103, a hard disk (HDD)104, an operation unit I/F105, a device I/F107, a network I/F110, and a bus 111.

The CPU 101 executes various information processes according to control programs, and controls an operation unit 106, a scanner 108, and a printer 109. Further, the CPU 101 can communicate with an external device via the network I/F110.

The RAM 102 is a volatile storage device, and serves as a work memory used by the CPU 101 to execute various information processes. A nonvolatile storage device capable of high-speed access may also be used as a substitute for the RAM 102. The ROM103 is a nonvolatile storage device and stores various control programs and setting values. The HDD104 is also a nonvolatile storage device and stores a control program and setting values. The program stored in the ROM103 or the HDD104 is transferred to the RAM 102 and executed by the CPU 101. Further, the information processing apparatus operates according to the setting value transferred from the ROM103 or the HDD104 to the RAM 102.

The operation unit I/F105 monitors an input from the operation unit 106 and transmits the input information to the CPU 101. Further, the operation unit I/F105 controls the operation unit 106 according to an instruction from the CPU 101 to display information. The operation unit 106 is an input device such as a touch panel and buttons, and is also a display device such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display and a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The operation unit 106 may also be a touch screen display that functions as both an input device and a display device.

The device I/F107 transmits a command received from the CPU 101 to the scanner 108 or the printer 109. Further, the device I/F107 receives image data from the scanner 108, and transmits the image data to the printer 109. The scanner 108 reads an image on a sheet and generates image data. The printer 109 prints an image based on the image data onto a sheet.

The information processing apparatus provides a copy function using a scanner 108 and a printer 109. The CPU 101 causes the scanner 108 to read an image, executes image processing on image data generated by the scanner 108, and causes the printer 109 to print an image based on the image data on which the image processing has been executed. Note that the image processing may also be performed by an image processing hardware device other than the CPU 101. In the image processing, the image data may be processed to print images read from two originals, respectively, on one sheet (2in 1). Further, the information processing apparatus provides a transmission function of transmitting image data generated by the scanner 108 via the network I/F110 and a FAX function of transmitting image data generated by the scanner 108 via a telephone line, not shown. In the case where the information processing apparatus does not provide the copy function, the transmission function, and the FAX function, the information processing apparatus does not need to include the scanner 108.

The network I/F110 controls network communication via a Local Area Network (LAN) according to an instruction from the CPU 101. The LAN may be wireless or wired, or may use public telephone lines. Further, the information processing apparatus may have a USB I/F that communicates with an external device via a USB cable.

The CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM103, HDD104, operation unit I/F105, device I/F107, and network I/F110 are connected to a bus 111.

Programs executed by the CPU 101 are stored in the ROM103 or the HDD104, and are loaded into the RAM 102 when the information processing apparatus is started or when a certain function is provided. The CPU 101 executes the program loaded into the RAM 102.

The CPU 101 causes the operation unit 106 to display information and acquires information input by the user using the operation unit 106 via the operation unit I/F105.

The CPU 101 performs authentication processing for login. In the authentication process, it is determined whether the user is permitted to use the information processing apparatus and the start of user login, completion of user login, and logout of the user are managed. More specifically, the CPU 10 instructs the operation unit 106 to display an authentication screen, acquires authentication information input by the user using the operation unit 106, and performs authentication based on the authentication information. In the case where the authentication is successful, the CPU 101 acquires a setting value associated with the user, and controls a screen displayed after login based on the setting value.

The CPU 101 writes setting values into the RAM 102 or HDD104, or reads setting values from the RAM 102 or HDD 104. When the information processing apparatus is started up, the CPU 101 reads setting values associated with each user and necessary for login for all users, and writes the setting values into the RAM 102. In the case where login by the user is started, the CPU 101 acquires a setting value associated with the user from the RAM 102, and controls a screen displayed after login based on the acquired setting value. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the access speed of the RAM 102 is faster than that of the HDD 104. In this way, in the case of acquiring the setting values from the RAM 102, the screen displayed after login is displayed faster than in the case of acquiring the setting values from the HDD 104. When the login by the user is completed, the CPU 101 reads a setting value associated with the user and necessary after the login from the HDD104, and writes the setting value into the RAM 102. As a result, when the setting value is required after login, the setting value can be accessed more quickly.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the types of setting values stored in the HDD 104. In HDD104, a set of setting values 201 necessary for registration and a set of setting values 211 necessary after registration are stored. The setting value required for registration is setting information required from the start of registration to the completion of registration. The setting value required after login is setting information required for the function executed after login.

The set of setting values 201 necessary for registration is further classified into individual use setting values and device use setting values necessary for registration. Personal use setting values required for login are stored in the storage area 202, and device use setting values required for login are stored in the storage area 203.

The set of setting values 211 required for registration is further classified into individual use setting values and device use setting values required after registration. The personal use setting values required after login are stored in the storage area 212, and the device use setting values required after login are stored in the storage area 213.

In a case where many users use an information processing apparatus and the number of setting values required for all functions provided by the information processing apparatus is enormous, it is difficult to store all the setting values in a storage device (e.g., the RAM 102) that can be accessed at high speed but has a relatively small storage capacity. Further, the setting value may be updated, and the updated setting value needs to be stored for a certain period, for example, even after the information processing apparatus is turned off. Therefore, it is not preferable to store all the setting values only in a volatile storage device (e.g., the RAM 102). Therefore, in the present embodiment, all the setting values are stored in the HDD104 and transferred from the HDD104 to the RAM 102 as needed.

The personal use setting values stored in the

storage areas

202 and 212 are associated with a plurality of users, respectively. The device use setting values are default setting values prepared for a user not associated with the personal use setting values. For example, in the case where a guest user uses an information processing apparatus without authentication, the device use setting value is used.

As shown in fig. 2, the number of setting values loaded into the RAM 102 before login is performed can be reduced by classifying the setting values required for login and the setting values required after login. As a result, setting values for all users required for login can be loaded into the RAM 102. Since the setting values for a plurality of users required for login are already loaded in the RAM 102, when any one of the plurality of users logs in, the login process is performed at high speed.

Fig. 3A is a diagram showing an example of the set of setting values 201 necessary for registration. In the storage area 202, the setting values of the user a and the setting values of the user B are stored. In the storage area 203, the device use setting values are stored. In fig. 3A and 3B, user names such as "user a" and "user B" are described as identification information for identifying users for ease of understanding. However, a user identifier such as a UUID that uniquely identifies a user may also be stored as identification information in the storage area 202. In the following embodiments, it is assumed that a user identifier is associated with a setting value and stored in the RAM 102 or the HDD 104.

The display language is a language used on a screen displayed on the operation unit 106. If the setting value of the display language is "english", an english screen is displayed on the operation unit 106. If the setting value of the display language is "japanese", a japanese screen is displayed on the operation unit 106.

The initial screen is a screen displayed first on the operation unit 106 after the user logs in. If the setting value of the initial screen is "send", a screen of the send function is displayed on the operation unit 106. If the setting value of the initial screen is "FAX", a screen of the FAX function is displayed on the operation unit 106. If the setting value of the initial screen is "copy", a screen of the copy function is displayed on the operation unit 106.

In fig. 3A, the personal use setting values are stored in a storage area, and the device use setting values are stored in another storage area. However, as in fig. 3B, the personal use setting value and the device use setting value may also be stored in the same storage area. In the case as in fig. 3B, a specific user identifier is assigned to the device and the specific user identifier (identification information for identifying the device) is associated with the device use setting value.

In fig. 3A and 3B, as an example of the setting values, a setting value for a display language and a setting value for an initial screen are shown; however, there may be set values other than these set values.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of setting value group 211 required after login. In the storage area 212, the setting values of the user a and the setting values of the user B are stored. In the storage area 213, the device use setting values are stored.

In the storage area 212, setting values required after login are stored on a user-by-user basis and a function-by-function basis. In addition, the storage area 213 stores setting values necessary after logging in, function by function. For example, the setting values of the user a required after login are classified into setting values 401 required for the copy function and setting values 402 required for the transmission function. The setting values of the copy function include setting values of log information and setting values of layout. The set value of the transmission function is a set value of the reception address. The log information is a file path storing a setting log of copying. The layout indicates the number of pages printed on one sheet. The reception address is an email address of a destination to which the image data is transmitted by the transmission function.

Depending on the user, there may be a function of not setting the setting value. It is not necessary to store the setting value for a function not used by the user.

In the case where the user a uses the copy function, the CPU 101 acquires the setting values of the copy function associated with the user a and controls the copy function based on the acquired setting values. For example, the CPU 101 acquires the setting values of the log information, reads the setting of the copy performed in the past from the file indicated by the acquired setting values, and causes the operation unit 106 to display the setting of the copy performed in the past. As a result, the user a can reuse the settings of the copy used in the past. Further, the CPU 101 acquires setting values of the layout, generates image data to be printed based on the setting values, and prints the generated image data on a sheet.

This also applies to other functions. When the user uses any one of the plurality of functions, the CPU 101 acquires a setting value of the function, displays a screen based on the acquired setting value, and executes the function based on the acquired setting value.

The setting values required for login and the setting values required after login are set using the operation unit 106, and stored in the HDD 104. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a setting screen for setting values necessary for login as a screen displayed on the operation unit 106. When the user presses a pull-down button 501, the CPU 101 causes the operation unit 106 to display a list of languages that can be selected as display languages. The user selects a language from the list. When the user presses the pull-down button 502, the CPU 101 causes the operation unit 106 to display a list of functions respectively associated with screens that can be selected as initial screens. The user selects a function from the list. In the case where the user sets a setting value necessary for login in the setting screen shown in fig. 5, the setting value is associated with the user and stored in the HDD 104. In the case where the administrator of the information processing apparatus sets setting values necessary for login through the setting screen shown in fig. 5, the setting values are stored as device use setting values in the HDD 104. In the case where the user or the administrator changes the set values that have been set on the setting screen as shown in fig. 5, the changed set values are stored in the RAM 102. That is, the setting values stored in the RAM 102 are updated to the changed setting values. Then, the changed setting values stored in the RAM 102 are stored in the HDD 104.

The startup processing performed in the information processing apparatus will be described using the flowchart of fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a startup process performed in the information processing apparatus. The CPU 101 executes a program based on the flowchart shown in fig. 6, and executes a startup process.

The CPU 101 reads device use setting values necessary for login from the HDD104 (S601) and writes the read device use setting values in the RAM 102 (S602).

The CPU 101 acquires a list of one or more users to which the setting values required for login have been set from the HDD104 (S603). The CPU 101 determines whether there is a user that has not been selected from the list of one or more users according to the list of one or more users (S604). If there is no user that has not been selected from the list of one or more users, the CPU 101 ends the startup processing. Further, in the case where there is no user who sets the setting value necessary for login, the CPU 101 ends the startup processing.

In the case where there is a user that has not been selected from the list of one or more users, the CPU 101 selects a user from the list of one or more users, and reads setting values associated with the user and necessary for login from the HDD104 (S605). Further, the CPU 101 writes the read setting value into the RAM 102 (S606).

In this way, the device use setting values necessary for login and the setting values necessary for login of all users are loaded into the RAM 102, so that these setting values can be accessed at high speed.

The login process of the user will be described. To log in to the information processing apparatus, each user inputs authentication information such as a user name and a password on an authentication screen displayed on the operation unit 106. The CPU 101 acquires authentication information input via the operation unit I/F105 using the operation unit 106, checks the authentication information, and determines whether the user is permitted to log in to the information processing apparatus. The authentication method may also be a method of comparing authentication information input using the operation unit 106 with authentication information uniquely stored in the information processing apparatus. Further, the authentication method may be a method of transmitting authentication information input using the operation unit 106 to an authentication server such as a directory server and receiving an authentication result from the authentication server.

The method of acquiring the authentication information may be a method of acquiring the authentication information input using the operation unit 106 or may also be a method of acquiring the authentication information from a card owned by the user via a card reader (not shown in fig. 1).

When determining that the user is permitted to log in to the information processing apparatus, the CPU 101 acquires user information of the user from the HDD 104. User information is information associated with a user and includes a username, a full name of the user, a user identifier (e.g., a UUID that uniquely identifies the user), and the like.

The CPU 101 determines whether a setting value necessary for login associated with the user identifier is stored in the RAM 102. If the setting values are stored, the CPU 101 acquires the setting values from the RAM 102. If the setting values necessary for login associated with the user identifier are not stored in the RAM 102, the CPU 101 acquires the device use setting values necessary for login from the RAM 102.

The CPU 101 executes necessary processing for each setting value acquired from the RAM 102. For example, in a case where the setting values of the display language and the setting values of the initial screen are acquired, the CPU 101 changes the display language and controls the operation unit 106 so that a specific initial screen is displayed in a specific display language.

As an example of the setting values other than those shown in fig. 3A and 3B, there is an accessibility setting value. When a setting value indicating that screen color inversion is required is stored in the RAM 102, the CPU 101 controls the operation unit 106 so that a screen whose screen color is inverted is displayed. Further, in a case where a setting value indicating that voice recognition is required is stored in the RAM 102, the CPU 101 executes processing required for voice recognition.

By acquiring the setting values necessary for registration from the RAM 102, the registration process is performed at high speed. For example, a screen displayed after login can be displayed at high speed, and the displayed screen differs depending on the user.

For example, a case where the user a and the user B log in to the information processing apparatus, respectively, will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed after login.

Since only the device use setting value is used here, when the user a logs in or the user B logs in, a screen as shown in fig. 7A is displayed. The screen of fig. 7A is a menu screen for selecting a function provided by the information processing apparatus, and the display language of the screen is japanese. In the case where the user a wants the english screen, after the screen of fig. 7A is displayed, the user needs to perform an operation of changing the display language from japanese to english. Further, in the case where the function frequently used by the user a is the transmission function, after the screen of fig. 7A is displayed, the user a needs to select the icon 701 corresponding to the transmission function. In either case, such an operation is troublesome.

In the present embodiment, the setting values required for login are provided on a user-by-user basis. For example, it is assumed that the user a and the user B have set the setting values as shown in fig. 3A and 3B. In this way, when the user a has logged in to the information processing apparatus, the screen of fig. 7B is displayed. The screen of fig. 7B is a screen for the transmission function, and the display language of the screen is english. The user a can quickly use the transmission function that the user a often uses. In a case where the user B has logged in to the information processing apparatus, the screen of fig. 7C is displayed. The screen of fig. 7C is a screen for the copy function, and the display language of the screen is japanese.

When the login by the user is completed, the CPU 101 reads a setting value required after the login, which is associated with the user who has logged in, from the HDD104, and writes the setting value into the RAM 102. The user identification information used here is also a user name or a user identifier. Since the RAM 102 stores setting values necessary after login, when the CPU 101 executes a function specified by the user, the CPU 101 can access the setting values necessary for the specified function at high speed.

Since the RAM 102 has a capacity, the number of setting values that can be stored is limited. In the present embodiment, the RAM 102 stores setting values necessary after login for one user. Therefore, when another user logs in, the CPU 101 clears the setting values necessary after login associated with the last user logged in from the RAM 102.

The login process performed in the information processing apparatus will be described using the flowchart of fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a login process performed in the information processing apparatus. The CPU 101 executes a program based on the flowchart shown in fig. 8, and executes login processing.

The CPU 101 acquires authentication information input using the operation unit 106 or the like and executes authentication processing of comparing the input authentication information with authentication information registered in advance (S801). The CPU 101 determines whether the user is permitted to log in to the information processing apparatus based on the authentication result (S802). That is, in the case where the authentication is successful, it is determined that the user is permitted to log in to the information processing apparatus.

In a case where the user is not permitted to log in to the information processing apparatus, the CPU 101 executes an error process such as display of an error screen (S816).

When determining that the user is permitted to log in to the information processing apparatus, the CPU 101 acquires user information corresponding to the user from the HDD104 (S803). Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a setting value necessary for login associated with the user identifier included in the user information acquired in S803 exists in the RAM 102 (S804). In a case where it is determined that the setting value exists, the CPU 101 acquires a setting value necessary for login associated with the user identifier from the RAM 102 (S805). In a case where it is determined that the setting value does not exist, the CPU 101 acquires the device use setting value necessary for login from the RAM 102 (S806).

The CPU 101 executes processing based on the setting value acquired in S805 or S806 (S807). Specifically, the CPU 101 causes the operation section 106 to display a registered screen based on the setting value of the display language and the setting of the initial screen.

The CPU 101 determines whether the processing based on the set value is completed and the login is completed (S808). If the login is not completed, the CPU 101 continues the execution of the processing based on the setting value. In the case where the login has been completed, the CPU 101 determines whether the user identifier acquired in S803 is the same as the user identifier of the last user logged in (S809). The user identifier of the last user logged in is stored in the RAM 102.

When the two user identifiers are the same, the setting values associated with the users required after login have been stored in the RAM 102. Thus, the CPU 101 executes various functions using the setting values. In this case, the process of reading the setting values from the HDD104 and writing the setting values to the RAM 102 is omitted. In the case where the same user is continuously logged in, unnecessary processing can be reduced by not reading the same setting value twice from a low-speed storage device such as the HDD 104.

In the case where the two user identifiers are different, the CPU 101 stores the user identifier acquired in S803 in the RAM 102 as the user identifier of the last user logged in (S810). As a result, the user identifier stored in the RAM 102 in S810 will be used when next execution 809 is performed.

The CPU 101 clears the RAM 102 of the storage area for storing the setting values required after login (S811).

The CPU 101 determines whether or not a setting value necessary after login associated with the user identifier acquired in S803 exists in the HDD104 (S812). If it is determined that the setting value exists, the CPU 101 acquires the setting value necessary after login associated with the user identifier from the HDD104 (S813). In a case where it is determined that the setting value does not exist, the CPU 101 acquires the device use setting value required after login from the HDD104 (S814). The CPU 101 writes the setting values acquired in S813 or S814 in the RAM 102 (S815). After that, the CPU 101 executes various functions using the setting values necessary after login, which are stored in the RAM 102.

An acquisition process of acquiring a setting value for executing a function will be described. The setting value for personal use includes a setting value required for login and a setting value required after login. An example of the setting values required after login is a setting value for a function. The CPU 101 acquires a setting value for a function to execute the function. For example, in the case where the user uses the copy function, the CPU 101 acquires a setting value for the copy function associated with the user identifier of the user.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart of acquisition processing performed in the information processing apparatus. The CPU 101 executes a program based on the flowchart shown in fig. 9, and executes acquisition processing.

The CPU 101 executes a program based on the flowchart shown in fig. 9 and a program for controlling a certain function in parallel. Further, the information processing apparatus may include a control circuit that controls a function other than the CPU 101. Hereinafter, a program for controlling a function and a controller for controlling a function are collectively referred to as a "function controller".

The CPU 101 receives a function name designating a function, a user identifier of a user using the function, a setting value name of a setting value required for the function, and an acquisition request of the setting value from the function controller (S901). The function name is, for example, "copy function".

The CPU 101 determines whether a setting value of a corresponding function name associated with the user identifier exists in the RAM 102 (S902). If the setting value is present, the CPU 101 acquires a setting value associated with the function name from the RAM 102 from the setting values necessary after login associated with the user identifier (S903).

In a case where it is determined that the setting value does not exist, the CPU 101 determines whether a setting value corresponding to a function name as a device use value exists in the RAM 102 (S904). If the setting value is present, the CPU 101 acquires the setting value associated with the function name from the necessary setting values after registration from the RAM 102 (S905).

The CPU 101 transmits the setting value acquired in S903 or S905 to the function controller that has issued the acquisition request of the setting value (S906). The function controller executes a function based on the set value.

In the case where there is no setting value corresponding to the function name not only in the setting values associated with the user but also in the device use setting values, the CPU 101 returns an error to the function controller (S907).

The setting processing of the set values will be described.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a list of setting values necessary for login. In the example of fig. 10, the setting values of the display language and the setting values of the initial screen are setting values necessary for registration. Other settings may also be included in the list. The list is stored in advance in the HDD104 or the ROM 103. When the information processing apparatus starts up, the CPU 101 reads a list from the HDD104 or the ROM103 and writes the list into the RAM 102. The CPU 101 determines from the list whether each set value is required for login or after login.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a setting process performed in the information processing apparatus. The CPU 101 executes a program based on the flowchart shown in fig. 11, and executes setting processing.

The CPU 101 controls the operation unit I/F105 or the network I/F110 to receive the setting value (S1101). For example, the operation unit I/F105 controls the operation unit 106 to display a screen for receiving a setting value through which a user inputs the setting value. There are mainly two kinds of screens for receiving setting values. One is an initial setting screen for performing initial setting of a setting value. The other is an operation screen for each function. Further, in a case where the user inputs a setting value through the operation screen of each function and requests to save the setting value, the setting value is input to the operation unit I/F105 via the operation unit 106. In the case where the external server manages the setting values in a centralized manner, the network I/F110 transmits an acquisition request of the setting values to the external server. The setting value transmitted by the external server in response to the acquisition request is input to the network I/F110 via the network.

The CPU 101 acquires the setting value input to the operation unit I/F105 or the network I/F110 (S1102). In addition to the setting values, the CPU 101 acquires names of the setting values, information for identifying whether the setting values are device use setting values or individual use setting values, a user identifier of a user who has input the setting values, a function name of a function corresponding to the setting values, and the like. The setting values input through a screen available only to the administrator or a screen displayed when the administrator is logging in are device use setting values. In contrast, a setting value input by a certain user through a screen displayed when the user is logging in is an individual use setting value. In the case where the setting value is input from the external server, information indicating whether the setting value is an individual use setting value or a device use setting value is also received. In the absence of this information, a NULL value (e.g., "0" or "NULL") is acquired. For example, in the case where the input device uses a setting value, there is no user identifier. In the case where the set value of the system setting is input, there is no function name.

The CPU 101 determines whether the name of the setting value acquired in S1102 is included in the list of setting values necessary for login (S1103).

In the case where the names of the setting values are included in the list, the CPU 101 determines whether the setting values acquired in S1102 are the personal use setting values or the device use setting values based on the information for identifying whether a certain setting value is the device use setting value or the personal use setting value (S1104).

If the setting value is a personal use setting value, the CPU 101 stores the setting value acquired in S1102 in both the HDD104 and the RAM 102 as a setting value required for login in association with the user identifier acquired in S1102 (S1105). If the set values are device use set values, the CPU 101 stores the set values acquired in S1102 in both the HDD104 and the RAM 102 as device use set values necessary for login (S1106).

Further, in a case where the name of the setting value acquired in S1102 is not included in the list, the CPU 101 determines whether the setting value acquired in S1102 is the personal use setting value or the device use setting value (S1107).

If the setting value is the personal use setting value, the CPU 101 stores the setting value acquired in S1102 in the HDD104 as a setting value required after login in association with the user identifier acquired in S1102 (S1108). Further, the CPU 101 determines whether the user corresponding to the user identifier acquired in S1102 is logging in the information processing apparatus (S1109). If the user is logging in, the CPU 101 stores the setting values acquired in S1102 in the RAM 102 as setting values necessary after logging in association with the user identifier acquired in S1102 (S1110). This is because if the user is logging in, the setting values required after logging in are stored not only in the HDD104 but also in the RAM 102. S1110 is executed to update the setting values stored in the RAM 102. If the setting values are device use setting values, the CPU 101 stores the setting values acquired in S1102 in both the HDD104 and the RAM 102 as device use setting values required after login (S1111).

If a setting value required for login is input to the network I/F110 from an external server, there may be a case where it is not preferable to quickly reflect the setting value. For example, in the case where the setting value of the display language is quickly reflected, the display language on the screen displayed on the operation unit 106 is suddenly changed, which may confuse the user. Therefore, the process of S1105 is not quickly executed after the setting values are acquired from the external server, but the setting values acquired in S1102 are temporarily stored in a buffer memory or a cache memory (not shown in fig. 1). When the user logs out from the information processing apparatus, the temporarily stored setting values are stored in both the HDD104 and the RAM 102.

The logout process of the user will be described.

In the present embodiment, as preparation for the case where the same user is continuously logged out and logged in, even in the case where the user is logged out, the setting values stored in the RAM 102 are not quickly cleared. However, in the case where the user logs out, the setting value associated with the user may also be changed to the device use setting value. For example, when the user logs in, a screen may be displayed based on a setting value of a display language associated with the user. When the user logs off, the screen may also be displayed based on the device use setting value of the display language.

Further, when the user logs out from the information processing apparatus, the CPU 101 may delete the setting values associated with the user and necessary after login from the RAM 102. When the user inputs a command to log out using the operation unit 106, the CPU 101 clears the storage area of the setting values required after login, which are associated with the user, on the RAM 102. In this case, every time the user logs in the information processing apparatus, the setting values necessary after logging in are transferred from HDD104 to RAM 102.

According to the above-described embodiment, before each user logs in to the information processing apparatus, the setting values required for login are transferred from the first storage device, which is a nonvolatile storage device, to the second storage device, which is a volatile storage device, that can be accessed at a higher speed than the first storage device. As a result, the login process is performed at a higher speed, the operation screen desired by the user is displayed on the operation unit 106 faster, and the user can use the information processing apparatus faster. Further, the setting values required after login are also transferred from the first storage device to the second storage device before the function is executed, so that the setting values required for the function can be acquired more quickly for each function.

That is, in the information processing apparatus that moves the setting information associated with each user from the first storage unit to the second storage unit and uses the setting information, it is possible to prepare the setting information for a large number of users in the second storage unit. In addition, the size of the setting information stored in the second storage unit can be further reduced.

Second embodiment

In the second embodiment, the setting values required after login are loaded into the RAM 102 in descending order of the possibility of the function used. A second embodiment will be described using fig. 12 to 13B. In the second embodiment, the information shown in fig. 12 is prepared and the login processing shown in fig. 13A and 13B is executed instead of the login processing shown in fig. 8.

In the second embodiment, priorities are preset for a plurality of functions. The respective users can set the priorities of the plurality of functions in descending order of the possibility of the functions used after login. Alternatively, the CPU 101 may set the priorities of the plurality of functions in descending order of functions used after login based on the usage logs of the respective functions. Hereinafter, priorities of a plurality of functions are set on a user-by-user basis. However, the priorities of the plurality of functions may be set only for the information processing apparatus. Priority information indicating the priority of a plurality of functions is stored in the HDD 104.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of priorities stored in the HDD 104. In the example shown in fig. 12, the priority information is stored on a user-by-user basis. Since the user a uses the copy function most often, the copy function is ranked at 1 st, the send function 2 nd, and the FAX function 3 rd. Since the user B uses the FAX function most often and does not use the copy function often, the FAX function ranks 1 st, and the copy function is not ranked.

Fig. 13A and 13B are flowcharts showing a login process performed in the information processing apparatus. The CPU 101 executes a program based on the flowcharts shown in fig. 13A and 13B, and executes login processing according to the second embodiment. S801 to S811 and S816 in fig. 13A are the same as S801 to S811 and S816 in fig. 8. Therefore, descriptions of S801 to S811 and S816 are omitted.

The CPU 101 acquires priority information corresponding to the user identifier acquired in S803 from the HDD104 (S1301). The CPU 101 selects a function with the highest priority from among functions that have not read setting values from the HDD104 based on the priority information (S1302). In the example of fig. 12, the smaller the number indicating the priority, the higher the priority.

The CPU 101 determines whether the setting values of the function selected in S1302 have been accessed (S1303). The CPU 101 executes a program based on the flowcharts shown in fig. 13A and 13B and a program that controls a certain function in parallel. Further, the information processing apparatus may include a control circuit that controls a function other than the CPU 101. As a result, before the setting values are read from the HDD104 according to the flowcharts of fig. 13A and 13B, the setting values may have been read from the HDD104 in response to the acquisition request from the function controller. In the case where the setting values have been read from the HDD104 and stored in the RAM 102 in response to the acquisition request from the function controller, it is determined whether the setting values have been accessed. Note that in the case where the setting value is being accessed in response to the acquisition request, a message indicating that it is being accessed is displayed on the operation unit 106. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a message.

In the case where the setting value has been accessed, the process proceeds to S1306. If the setting values have not been accessed, the CPU 101 reads, from the HDD104, the setting values of the function selected in S1302, among the setting values required after login associated with the user identifier acquired in S803 (S1304). Further, the CPU 101 writes the read setting value into the RAM 102 (S1305). If the setting values of the function do not exist, the CPU 101 reads the device use setting values of the function selected in S1302 from the device use setting values necessary after the login from the HDD104, and writes the read device use setting values into the RAM 102.

The CPU 101 determines whether reading of the setting values is performed for all the functions indicated in the priority information (S1306). If there is a function of the setting value that has not been read from the HDD104, the process returns to S1302.

When the set values are read for all the functions indicated in the priority information, the CPU 101 selects a function not described in the priority information from among the plurality of functions provided by the information processing apparatus (S1307).

The CPU 101 determines whether the setting value of the function selected in S1307 has been accessed (S1308). In the case where the setting value has been accessed, the process proceeds to S1311.

If the setting value has not been accessed, the CPU 101 reads the setting value of the function selected in S1307 among the setting values required after login associated with the user identifier acquired in S803 from the HDD104 (S1309). Further, the CPU 101 writes the read setting value into the RAM 102 (S1310). If the setting values of the function do not exist, the CPU 101 reads the device use setting values of the function selected in S1307 from the device use setting values necessary after the login from the HDD104, and writes the read device use setting values in the RAM 102.

The CPU 101 determines whether reading of the setting values is performed for all functions not shown in the priority information (S1311). If there is a function of the setting value that has not been read from the HDD104, the process returns to S1307.

The priority information shown in fig. 12 defines the function of setting values to be transferred to the RAM 102. However, it is also possible to prepare restriction information defining a function of setting values that need not be transferred to the RAM 102. For example, if a set value of a function that is not normally used by the user, a set value having a large size, or the like is transferred to the RAM 102, a certain amount of space of the RAM 102 having a smaller capacity than the HDD104 is occupied. There may be the following: the setting values of the functions not normally used, the setting values of the large size, and the like are transferred to the RAM 102 and the setting values of the functions highly likely to be used are not transferred to the RAM 102 in advance but stay in the HDD104 slower than the RAM 102. The setting values of the functions not normally used, the large-scale setting values, and the like are not transferred to the RAM 102 in advance, but transferred from the HDD104 to the RAM 102 only when necessary.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of priority information and restriction information. In the example of fig. 15, priority information 1501 and restriction information 1502 are associated with user a. The priority information 1501 indicates the level of a function with a high possibility of being used by the user a, similarly to the priority information of fig. 12. The restriction information 1502 indicates a condition for determining that the set value does not need to be transferred to the RAM 102. Each user can set conditions for determining that the set values need not be transferred to the RAM 102. Alternatively, the CPU 101 may set the condition for determining that the set value does not need to be transferred to the RAM 102 based on the usage log of each function.

The condition 1503 indicates the name of a function that does not need to transfer the setting value to the RAM 102. Conditional 1504 indicates the magnitude of the set value that need not be transferred to RAM 102. In the example of fig. 15, only two conditions are described, but other conditions may be described.

In the example of fig. 15, in S1309 and S1310 of fig. 13B, the setting value of the FAX function is not transferred from the HDD104 to the RAM 102. Alternatively, the FAX function may not be selected in S1307. In S1309 and S1310 of fig. 13B, the set value of 50KB or more in size is also not transferred from the HDD104 to the RAM 102. In the above description, the condition 1504 is applied only to a function that is not described in the priority information. However, the condition 1504 may also be applied to the function described in the priority information.

Note that the setting values that match the conditions described in the restriction information 1502 are not read from the HDD104 when the login processing of fig. 13A and 13B is executed, but are read from the HDD104 when an acquisition request of the setting values is received from the function controller.

The use restriction information 1502 can prevent setting values from being undesirably loaded into a volatile storage device having a relatively small capacity, and even prevent unnecessary setting values from being loaded into the volatile storage device.

According to the second embodiment, as a result of loading the setting value, which has a high possibility of use, based on the priority to the volatile storage device that can be accessed at high speed, the user can use the function more quickly after the user logs in. Further, as a result of not reading unnecessary setting values, a volatile memory device having a relatively small capacity can be effectively utilized.

Third embodiment

In the third embodiment, the setting value of the function corresponding to the screen set as the initial screen is given first priority, read from the HDD104, and written into the RAM 102. As a result, the user can quickly use the function corresponding to the initial screen displayed after login. In the third embodiment, the login process shown in fig. 16 is performed instead of the login process shown in fig. 8.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing a login process performed in the information processing apparatus. The CPU 101 executes a program based on the flowchart shown in fig. 16, and executes login processing according to the third embodiment. S801 to S815 of fig. 16 are the same as S801 to S815 of fig. 8. Therefore, descriptions of S801 to S815 are omitted.

After the processing based on the setting values required for login, the CPU 101 acquires the setting values of the initial screen from the setting values written in the RAM 102 in step S805 or S806 (S1601). Next, the CPU 101 reads, from the HDD104, the setting value of the function indicated by the setting value of the initial screen from the setting value necessary after login associated with the user identifier acquired in S803 (S1602). Further, the CPU 101 writes the read set value into the RAM 102 (S1603). When the setting value of the function does not exist, the CPU 101 reads the device use setting value of the function indicated by the setting value of the initial screen from the device use setting values necessary after the login from the HDD104, and writes the read device use setting value into the RAM 102.

Fig. 16 is described as a modification of fig. 8. However, the processing from S1601 to S1603 may also be included in the flowcharts of fig. 13A and 13B. In this case, between S807 and S808 of fig. 13A, the processes of S1601 to S1603 are executed.

According to the third embodiment, as a result of loading the setting values of the functions corresponding to the screen displayed first after login to the volatile storage device that can be accessed at high speed based on the priority, the user can use the functions faster after the user logs in.

Fourth embodiment

Fig. 17 is a block diagram showing the roles assumed by the CPU 101 in the first to third embodiments.

The display/operation control unit 301 causes the operation unit 106 to display a screen by controlling the operation unit I/F105. Further, the display/operation control unit 301 acquires information input by the user using the operation unit 106 via the operation unit I/F105, and transmits the information to other control units.

The authentication control unit 302 performs authentication processing of login, acquires user information of the user who has logged in, and transmits the user information to other control units. The authentication control unit 302 notifies the other control units of respective events corresponding to one of login start, login completion, and logout.

The storage control unit 303 receives data from other control units, and writes the data into the RAM 102 or the HDD 104. Further, the storage control unit 303 reads data from the RAM 102 or the HDD104, and transmits the data to other control units. The storage control unit 303 includes a first storage control section 304 configured to control data read/write to the HDD104 and a second storage control section 305 configured to control data read/write to the RAM 102. The storage control unit 303 also controls reading of data from the ROM 103.

The set value control unit 306 instructs the first storage control section 304 or the second storage control section 305 to read/write the set value. In the case where the setting values are loaded from the HDD104 into the RAM 102, the setting value control unit 306 instructs the first storage control section 304 to read the setting values, and the first storage control section 304 transmits the setting values read from the HDD104 to the setting value control unit 306. Further, the set value control unit 306 instructs the second storage control section 305 to write the set value, and the second storage control section 305 writes the set value into the RAM 102. When receiving an event indicating completion of login and a user identifier from the authentication control unit 302, the setting value control unit 306 instructs the first storage control section 304 to read a setting value corresponding to the user identifier. The set value control unit 306 instructs the second storage control section 305 to write the set value.

The initial setting screen control unit 307 instructs the display/operation control unit 301 to cause the operation unit 106 to display a screen for receiving a setting value required for login, and receives a setting value required for login input using the operation unit 106 from the display/operation control unit 301. Further, the initial setting screen control unit 307 sends the setting value to the setting value control unit 306, and the setting value control unit 306 instructs the first storage control section 304 or the second storage control section 305 to write the setting value. Setting values other than the setting values necessary for registration, for example, setting values of functions or setting values of system settings are transmitted from the function controller or the setting screen control unit 309 to the setting value control unit 306. The set value control unit 306 instructs the first storage control section 304 or the second storage control section 305 to write the set value.

The copy control unit 308 is an example of a function controller. In addition to the copy control unit 308, a scanner control unit that controls reading of an image, a transmission control unit that controls transmission of an image, a FAX control unit that controls transmission by facsimile, and the like may be used as the function controller. The copy function unit 308 controls a copy function. In a case where the user selects the copy function, the copy control unit 308 receives a user identifier of the user from the authentication control unit 302, and transmits an acquisition request indicating the name of the copy function, the user identifier, and a setting value required for the copy function to the setting value control unit 306. The set value control unit 306 instructs the first storage control section 304 or the second storage control section 305 to read the set value of the copy function associated with the user identifier.

In the first to third embodiments, the CPU 101 assumes the following roles: a display/operation control unit 301, a verification control unit 302, a first storage control section 304, a second storage control section 305, a setting value control unit 306, an initial setting screen control unit 307, a copy control unit 308, and a setting screen control unit 309. However, the plurality of CPUs may respectively assume the roles of the control units 301 to 309. Further, a control circuit other than the CPU 101 may also take on one or some of the roles of the control units 301 to 309.

Other embodiments

In the first to third embodiments, the setting values are prepared on a user-by-user basis; however, the setting values may be prepared group by group (a plurality of users belong to one group). In this case, the setting values associated with the user who uses the information processing apparatus and the setting values associated with the group to which the user belongs are read out from the HDD104 and written into the RAM 102.

Embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer-executable instructions recorded on a storage medium (e.g., a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium) for performing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments of the present invention, and by a method performed by a computer of a system or apparatus, for example, that reads out and executes computer-executable instructions from a storage medium for performing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments. The computer may include one or more of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), Micro Processing Unit (MPU), or other circuitry, and may include a stand-alone computerOr a stand-alone computer processor. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer from, for example, a network or a storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), storage for a distributed computer system, an optical disk (e.g., Compact Disk (CD), Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), or Blu-ray disk (BD)^TM) One or more of a flash memory device, a memory card, etc.

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus comprising:

a non-volatile memory;

a volatile memory; and

a storage controller configured to acquire information or a part of the information stored in the nonvolatile memory from the nonvolatile memory and write the information or the part of the information to the volatile memory;

wherein the storage controller performs:

obtaining first information associated with the user information from the non-volatile memory and writing the first information to the volatile memory before the user is authenticated, the first information being required when the first screen is displayed immediately after the user is authenticated, and

after the user is successfully authenticated, displaying a first screen using the first information written to the volatile memory,

wherein, after the user is successfully authenticated,

the storage controller performs:

acquiring second information or a part of the second information associated with the user information, which is included in the information and is not the first information, from the nonvolatile memory and writing the second information or the part of the second information to the volatile memory,

wherein the access speed to the volatile memory is faster than the access speed to the non-volatile memory.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage controller acquires the second information or a part of the second information from the nonvolatile memory and writes the second information or the part of the second information in the volatile memory after the first screen based on the first information is displayed.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first information is information on a display language on the first screen.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nonvolatile memory is an HDD and the volatile memory is a RAM.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an authentication unit configured to perform authentication processing using user identification information,

wherein, after the authentication unit performs the authentication process and the authentication process is successful, the memory controller acquires second information associated with the authenticated user and writes the second information in the volatile memory.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the second information is information relating to a setting item of a function to be provided by the information processing apparatus, and

wherein, in the case where the authenticated user uses the function, the storage controller acquires second information associated with the authenticated user, which is written in the volatile memory.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first setting unit configured to set an order of a plurality of functions to be provided by the information processing apparatus,

wherein, after the verification is performed based on the user identification information and the verification is successful, the memory controller acquires the setting values associated with the verified user from the nonvolatile memory according to the order and writes the setting values in the volatile memory.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second setting unit configured to set a condition that second information is not written in the volatile memory,

wherein the storage controller does not acquire the second information satisfying the condition from the nonvolatile memory.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein second information associated with the authenticated user is written to the volatile memory until a next user is authenticated based on the user identification information,

the information processing apparatus further includes a determination unit configured to, in a case where the next user is authenticated, determine whether the next user is the same as a previously authenticated user,

wherein the storage controller does not retrieve second information associated with the next user from the non-volatile memory if the next user is the same as a previously authenticated user.

10. A control method of an information processing apparatus, the control method comprising the steps of:

retrieving information or a portion of the information stored in non-volatile memory from non-volatile memory and writing the information or portion of the information to volatile memory;

wherein first information associated with the user information is acquired from the nonvolatile memory and written to the volatile memory before the user is authenticated, the first information being required when the first screen is displayed immediately after the user is successfully authenticated, and

wherein, after the user is successfully authenticated,

11. The control method according to claim 10, further comprising: authentication processing is performed using the user identification information.

12. The control method according to claim 10, further comprising: in the case where the authenticated user uses the function provided by the information processing apparatus, second information, which is associated with the authenticated user and is related to the function, stored in the nonvolatile memory is written into the volatile memory.

13. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a control method of an information processing apparatus, the control method comprising the steps of:

wherein, after the user is successfully authenticated,